After giving Thanatos a proper farewell in a hail of bullets, Sol turned with Billy to finish off the remaining small fry.

There was no denying it—the merciful and compassionate Gatling Bodhisattva was truly unstoppable.

Wherever that metal storm swept, entire swaths of Ethereals simply melted away.

Within minutes, the eight hundred that had gathered were nearly wiped out.

Compared to the old days, when Billy hacked with blades while Sol covered with gunfire, this new method was leagues more efficient.

"Boss Sol, you really went wild today!" Billy said enviously, watching Sol heft the six-barreled heavy machine gun. "It's been so long since I got to run a heavy firepower suppression op."

The way Sol had just laid down that sweeping barrage—Billy almost wished it were him behind the barrels.

Hadn't they agreed this gun was supposed to be his today?

"So long?" Sol arched an eyebrow. "Careful, you're letting something slip."

This guy always revealed hints of his true nature at the strangest times.

"Ha–ha! Boss Sol, you misheard!" Billy waved it off frantically. "What I meant was, I've never tried heavy firepower suppression before!"

"Say whatever you want."

Sol smiled faintly, not pressing further.

Billy let out a breath of relief, then asked curiously, "Boss Sol… didn't you overdo it just now?"

He'd seen it—Sol had fired for several straight minutes, easily 30,000 rounds by his count.

But they'd only brought 10,000 rounds with them. The math simply didn't add up.

Sol thought for a moment, then answered casually: "I turned on the ammo modifier. I can fire however much I want."

Since he'd be teaming up with the Cunning Hares often, his infinite ammo was bound to get exposed sooner or later.

And really, right now it was only bullets. Until he revealed infinite rockets, nukes, or railgun rounds, it wasn't too outrageous.

Still, he'd keep up appearances around others.

Unbidden, Sol thought of Zhu Yuan's pistol and Nicole's weapon case—both powered by special Ether batteries, firing energy projectiles.

Maybe he should grab himself a couple of energy weapons in the future. With infinite output, it'd still be unfair, but at least less conspicuous.

"Boss Sol, you're such a joker," Billy chuckled, assuming he was teasing. "Infinite ammo? No way that's real!"

"Believe what you want. I only speak the truth."

Sol strode onward, not slowing down.

"Hmm?"

Billy followed, but the more he thought, the more wrong it felt.

Reality check: they'd brought 10,000 rounds.

Reality check: Sol had absolutely fired at least 30,000. The casings were still scattered all over the ground.

Which meant… Boss Sol hadn't been joking. He really had turned on a cheat!

Billy froze, staring at Sol's back, his mind blanking.

Bro… you actually hacked?!

"Boss Sol, wait up!" Billy scrambled forward, plastering on a grin. "There's something I gotta ask you."

"Go ahead." Sol smirked, playing along.

"…Can you enable cheats for me too?"

Billy muttered it, almost embarrassed.

"You didn't believe me just a second ago." Sol chuckled.

"I thought it over. You're definitely the real deal!" Billy pleaded. "Boss, big bro, please let me cheat too! I'll do anything!"

Sol sighed.

The guy looked exactly like some FPS noob begging for a paid hack, eyes so desperate it was hard to say no.

But for now, Sol didn't have the ability to grant cheats to others.

Someday, maybe—if he drew the Cheat Engine modifier—he could toss Billy a bone.

After a pause, Sol said, "Billy, you can think of my ability as some kind of advanced tech. But right now, there's only one copy. If you beat me at the arcade later, maybe I'll let you try it out."

"Eh? Forget it. Beating you at the arcade's impossible." Billy slumped. "Even the Soul Hounds III Queen had to kneel before you. I don't stand a chance."

He remembered clearly: Sol had pushed Soul Hounds III down to 20,000 meters deep, beating the shop owner's 16,000+ record by a staggering 4,396 meters.

The owner had been grinding nonstop for two days trying to catch up.

And that wasn't even Sol's limit—he'd done it effortlessly, with room to spare.

Billy versus Boss Sol in an arcade game? That'd be like an old-era Silver-ranked rookie challenging the Demon Lord.

Sol shook his head with a sigh. "Hard to believe the mighty Starlight Knight doesn't even dare to try. Where's your courage?"

"What?! Starlight Knights fear nothing!" Billy exploded, puffing up. "Fine, let's go! I'll beat your score and earn infinite ammo for myself!"

"Then let's go."

Sol smiled.

The good old provocation trick. Works every time.

Of course, Billy didn't realize that Sol had only held back to Soul Hounds III's limit. Beating the owner by 4,396 meters was nothing more than a tribute to an old friend.

Playing with ten-times-human reflexes?

Even Sol himself didn't know how high he could go.

For him, arcade games were just for atmosphere—and showing off in public.

Time slipped by.

Before they knew it, the day was over. Billy left the arcade reluctantly, score capped at 10,000 meters—a remarkable feat in its own right.

But Sol, even while casually chatting with Shopkeeper Toshi, hadn't budged from his 20,000-meter record. Billy wasn't even close.

Still, he refused to give up. Twice Sol's score? With effort, maybe someday…

—The next day, Sol paired up with Anby. After clearing Ethereals, they grabbed burgers and watched a romance movie together, building their bond.

Another ordinary day passed.

—The day after, Sol and Nicole finished their usual sweep of the Cretan Companion Hollow and walked side by side out of the depths.

"…"

Sol's eyes lingered on Nicole's legs, slipping into thought.

One bare, smooth, porcelain-white.

The other wrapped in torn black stockings, hints of skin peeking through with dangerous allure.

On anyone else, it might've just been fashion.

But this was Nicole.

Sol had a sneaking suspicion she was simply too thrifty to wear a full pair.

"Sol, what are you thinking about?" Nicole caught his gaze and instinctively pressed her thighs together.

A flicker of unease crossed her.

It was just the two of them here. If Sol tried anything improper again, it wouldn't be a surprise.

"I was thinking… whether I should get you a gift."

Sol didn't look up, still staring at those stocking-clad legs.

True, indulging thoughts like this could be dangerous.

But a little temptation now and then… wouldn't hurt.

In the last two days, he'd drawn two more green cards:

[Black Stockings: Finely patterned, excellent texture, high-quality women's intimate wear.] (So durable that ordinary people can't tear them.)

[White Stockings: Finely patterned, excellent texture, high-quality women's intimate wear.] (So durable that ordinary people can't tear them.)

Why the system felt the need to note their taste was beyond him, but green-grade items were green-grade items—he stored them safely in his system inventory.

Still, beyond the description, he'd noticed they had a rather pleasant feel.

And for someone with ten tons of brute strength like him, tearing them wasn't nearly as hard as advertised.

So really… gifting Nicole a few pairs of stockings might not be such a bad idea.